Portrait of young James Franceschini, Pescara, Italy, 1905 - solo in inglese

Black and white portrait of a younger James Franceschini in Pescara, Italy, 1905, just before leaving for Canada.

James is wearing a suit with a striped tie and a white collared shirt. he is sitting on the armrest of a woven-style chair.  His wavy hair is styled parted to the side.

James arrived in Canada in 1906. By 1912, he had founded Dufferin Construction and became well known nationally. As the company became increasingly more successful, James was able to move into the construction of highways, provincial roads, rail lines and suburbs. Within three years – at the age of 25 – James became a millionaire.

On June 10, 1940, he was arrested and interned as a threat to the Canadian state.